6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
David Tennant and Patrick Stewart star in this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece from Britain’s renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. No recent stage production in Britain has attracted the excitement and nearly unanimous critical praise as this Hamlet. Tennant's interpretation was recognized as defining the role for a generation, and Stewart’s complex Claudius won the Olivier award, Britain’s highest stage honor. In this specially-shot screen version, filmed on location rather than in the theater, Tennant and Stewart reprise their roles. Dynamic, exciting and contemporary, it breathes new life into Shakespeare's greatest play.
Starring: David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, John Woodvine, Penny Downie, Oliver Ford DaviesDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Reinvented, deconstructed, reimagined, dissected, reassembled, reinterpreted, and reborn anew, William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" has been subjected to countless reincarnations; some brilliant, some misguided, some intriguing, some terribly mediocre. Several years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a fascinating Shakespeare Theatre Company production in which the prince of Denmark was simultaneously portrayed by five different actors. Soliloquies were transformed into heated arguments between Hamlet's splintering personas, his despondency and emotional turmoil became a war of wills, and his tireless bouts with insanity became a stage play all their own, hidden from the likes of Claudius and Gertrude, but apparent to the prince's captivated audience. Unfortunately, I had the distinct displeasure of attending the dull, dim-witted adaptation of a small, local company that same year; one in which Hamlet was inexplicably reconceived as a Quixote-esque old man struggling with senility in communist Russia. It was... let's just say bizarre, and leave it at that. Thankfully, the Royal Shakespeare Company's Hamlet, the 2008 play turned 2009 BBC television film turned 2010 Blu-ray release, is more akin to the former than the latter. Though a decidedly traditional production, its performances, modern sets and costume designs, and clever depictions of Shakespeare's characters help it stand out from the crowd.
"A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times."
Filmed with Red One digital cameras, Hamlet features a sharp and proficient 1080i/AVC-encoded transfer that's cleaner, more stable, and more reliable than our dear, mad prince of Denmark. Color and clarity are impressive, black levels are bold and engrossing, and fine textures are crisp and refined. Granted, Chris Seager's photography is often as bleak and sobering as the slowburn chaos that unfolds, but the Royal Shakespeare Company's television production is striking from beginning to end. Note the tangled hairs sprouting from the Ghost's beard, the wild stubble that slowly creeps across Hamlet's chin as he succumbs to paranoia, the weathered brick and mortar that lends distant buildings character, and the crumbling soil caked on Yorick's skull. Intricate or simplistic, every nick and stitch in the RSC's elaborate sets and costumes have been preserved and rendered for all to see. The technical image is just as satisfying. Yes, the presentation boasts a hyper-sharp digital sheen -- a trait some filmfans find to be unattractive -- and yes, minor source noise, crush, and aliasing appear from time to time, but I didn't encounter any significant artifacting, smearing, banding, or notable distractions. All things considered, Hamlet's video presentation is an effective one.
Just don't expect to be enveloped by Stewart's ghostly whispers or Tennant's mad-hatter chatter. Sadly, Hamlet includes just one audio track: a fit but flat LPCM stereo mix that leaves Doran's production firmly planted on the stage. Not that any of it is particularly underwhelming -- dialogue is distinct, well-grounded, and perfectly prioritized throughout, sound effects are steady and clear, and Paul Englishby's understated score is given its just due -- but the lack of LFE support, rear speaker activity, and proper acoustics all limit the impact of the film. I would have loved to hear Tennant's cries echoing across an immersive soundfield; to be dropped in the middle of Hamlet's sword fight with Laertes; to feel the hair on my neck bristle as the prince's soliloquies haunt his home's empty halls. Again, the LPCM track is more than adequate, able-bodied even (for a stereo mix). It just doesn't pack the lossless 5.1 oomph I was hoping for.
The Blu-ray edition of Hamlet arrives with a rewarding supplemental package that provides an extensive overview of both the stage and screen versions of the Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation. First up is an incredibly informative audio commentary with RSC chief-associate director and filmmaker Greg Doran, director of photography Chris Seager, and co-producer Seth Grant. The trio not only dissect each choice and change they made while honing their latest vision of Shakespeare's famed tragedy, they devote ample time to discussing the performances, set and costume designs, blocking and framing, cuts and additions, and key aspects of their interpretation of several characters, events, and dramatic encounters. Candid and revealing from beginning to end, Doran's track will prove to be a boon for fans, especially those who enjoy their Shakespeare with a side of finely tuned analysis. A surprisingly lengthy, rather captivating "Behind the Scenes" documentary (SD, 32 minutes) is also included. While some portions are a bit redundant (at least for those who've already plowed through the disc's three-hour commentary), the doc's countless cast and crew interviews, candid behind-the-scenes footage, and thought-provoking analysis of the Bard's text and the RSC's stage and screen adaptations make it well worth watching. Finally, a short promo for the RSC (SD, 3 minutes) rounds out the package.
The Royal Shakespeare Company's well-conceived (albeit largely traditional) production of the Bard's foremost tragedy is bolstered by several outstanding performances, many of which allow Greg Doran's Hamlet to strike a more resonant chord than other contemporary adaptations of the play. Still, its particular sensibilities are more suited to the stage than the screen, and the film occasionally suffers as a result. Thankfully, BBC Video's Blu-ray release is worth buying, especially considering the disc's low pricepoint. Its video transfer is remarkably sharp and satisfying, its LPCM audio track does a fine job handling everything its given (at least for a stereo mix), and its generous supplemental package includes an engaging three-hour commentary and a 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary. The RSC's television film may not be the definitive production of Shakespeare's best-known tragedy, but it will please its fair share of cinephiles and literature hounds.
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